Carrier for artificial teeth



March 17, 1942.

CARRIER FOR ARTIFICIAL TEETH Filed May 25, 1940 INVEN TOR ATTORNEY G. T.PUSEY, JR 2,276,701

' ETEDR'EE TF'USEYHJR'.

Patented Mar. 17, 1942 UNlTE STTEd CARRIER FOR. ARTIFICIAL TEETHApplication May 25, 1940, Serial No. 337,148

8 Claims.

This invention relates to carriers for artificial teeth, andparticularly to carriers known in dental practice as cards.

Carriers of such character are employed for mounting sets of teeth, andeach carrier usually comprises a base that is larger all around than theset to protect the teeth by the edges of the base under variousconditions, as when the carriers are placed side by side in a drawer orother position.

The carriers are employed in comparing the artificial teeth to thenatural or former artificial teeth of patients requiring new teeth,during which operations the teeth on the carriers are removedindividually therefrom and replaced thereon.

Carriers prior to the present invention have been constructed with basesof solid relatively rigid material having grooves or depressions inwhich deformable material, such as wax, has been placed as a depositoryor mounting for the teeth, the latter having pins which are thrust intothe wax.

With such construction, aligning the teeth, or straightening the set inthe first place, as is done by girls in assembling the teeth on thecarriers, is difficult, and requires considerable deftness andexperience. The operation frequently requires adjustment of the teethafter the pins have been thrust into position to align or straighten theset,

and results in the expense of requiring skilled workers and loss oftime, and has other disadvantages. I

Repeated withdrawals and replacements of the teeth in service quicklydestroy the effectiveness of the wax for properly holding the teeth, andunder high temperature conditions, as in the summer time, the teeth ofthe former carriers become partially coated or smudged with the wax; allof these factors tending to render the carriers of a moreor lesstemporary nature, with the consequent necessity of cleaning the teeth,and frequently replacing the carriers and the resulting expense, troubleand other disadvantages. With such devices, the teeth shake out ofposition, and are not kept fresh and clean at all times, and the cardsare of short life, and cannot be reused.

Accordingly, it is among the objects of the invention to overcome all ofthe above-mentioned undesirable features, and to provide a card orcarrier that shall be simple and durable in construction, economical tomanufacture and effective in service.

Another object of the invention is to provide an artificial teethcarrier that shall have formmaintaining means, or means in contradistinction to deformable wax of the former carriers, for readilydeta-chably holding the teeth for such repeated employment over asubstantially extended period of time, as to greatly enhance theusefulness, economy and desirability of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the aboveindicated character that shall be easier to manufacture and assemble,and

wherein the mounting and straightening of the tooth set may be readilyand directly effected in substantially one operation, without theadjustment frequently required to straighten the set, after mounting theteeth in wax, either during the initial assembly, or subsequent theretoin service.

A further object of the invention is to avoid the smudging and thenecessity for cleaning the teeth, to render the device free fromdeformation, as is true of wax under high temperatures and repeated use,and to provide a device that is more permanent, that hasform-maintaining teeth attaching means, and is free from all of theabove-mentioned and incidental disadvantages of the prior art tructures.

According to the invention, a support member or base formed of anysuitable material, such as wood, hard rubber, composition or the like,is provided With a longitudinally extending groove, and an element orinsert of resilient sheet material, such as metal, Celluloid or the likeis formed with a longitudinally extending channel seating within thebase groove and supported by laterally extending fiangesengaging the topsurface of the base. The channel side walls are cut or separated atspaced points to provide transversely aligned and substantiallyindependently movable resilient gripping portions. An artificial tooth,either of the headed pin type or headless pin type; can be quickly andeasily attached to the carrier or removed therefrom by causing the pinsto be gripped by a pair of cooperating resilient portions or fingers,and although the gripping action is sufiicient to prevent accidentalwithdrawal, the teeth may be easily removed.

In another form of the invention, I contemplate that the carrier may bemade entirely of metal, but the general arrangement and construction isas above described.

The device may be otherwise arranged, such as having one of the flangesof the insert return bent, out of the Way of a rubber ledge, Where thecarriers are adapted to teeth having such ledges,

and forming it in one piece including all the required parts, as willhereinafter appear.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to theaccompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an artificial teeth carrier including abase and the insert constructed in accordance with the invention with aset of the teeth thereon;

Figure 2 is a view taken substantially n the line 2--2 of Figure 1,showing a headless pin, of

which the tooth may have one or two,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the device in cooperationwith a pin having a head,

Figure 4 is a view similar toFigure 1 of the device in modified form forteeth having rubber ledges,

Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 2, taken substantially alongthe line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the insert of Figures 1, 2 and 3,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the base of Figures 1, 2 and 3,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the base of Figures 4 and5,

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the insert of Figures 4and 5, and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the invention in further modifiedform in which all necessary parts in this form, including theabovementioned base and insert, are combined in a single piece.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7, the device therein illustrated,comprises a base I4 and an insert or attaching means of the inventionfor mounting a set I! of artificial teeth l8 of usual construction.

The base M, as above generally indicated, may

I be constructed of any material, desirably of the rigidity or firmnessof wood, Bakelite, hard rubber, composition and the like, and having thegeneral form of an oblong block, although not so limited.

As best illustrated in Figure 7, an undercut groove extendslongitudinally and generally centrally of base M, the groove having atransversely curved bottom surface 22 and plane side surfaces 23 slopingconvergingly upwardly to the top of the base, whereby the upper openportion of the groove is narrower than the bottom surface 22. Theprovision of an undercut groove of this type insures that the insertwill remain locked against upper withdrawal from the base uponwithdrawal of the teeth, as will be further apparent from a descriptionof the insert.

The insert, illustrated in this instance, as of metal, such as brass,may be constructed of any material having the desired characteristics ofresilience and resistance to oxidation, such as Celluloid and othernonmetallic substances, and is also desirably in thin sheet form for thepurposes stated, and to render it easy of manufacture, and assembly withthe base.

Specifically the insert also has a bottom wall 25 of slightly downwardlycurved or concave contour, and plane side walls 21 converging relativeto each other upwardly to form a relatively narrow slot 28, along thesides of which extend flanges 29 and 30 having aligned slots 3| and 32cut transversely therethrough and to a certain depth into the side walls2! at relatively closely spaced positions along the base forming theinsert into a plurality of form maintaining tooth supporting meanshaving apertures for receiving the teeth attaching means or pins. Thewidths of the curved surface .22 and the bottom wall 25 of the insertare such that the insert may be thrust into position relative to thebase M in a firm sliding fit in which position the side walls 21extendupwardly toward each other and laterally away from the sidesurfaces 23 of the groove 20, as best indicated in Figure 2. The insertsides are thus spaced to allow lateral outward spring thereof, ormovement away from each other, when teeth attaching means or pins 33projecting from the teeth are thrust into position therebetween. Theslot 28 is of such width, in relaxed condition of the spring materialinsert, as to require forcing apart of the slot edges by the teeth pinswhich are of greater shank diameter than the width of the slot.

When employing headless pins, as illustrated at 33, the pin shanks aregripped or frictionally held with suflicient force to prevent accidentalwithdrawal, when handling the carrier, and to insure a firm grip despitetemperature variations. This is not true of former carriers employingwax as the pin holding means, and a construction described herein allowsthe teeth to be very easily withdrawn and replaced. The invention, inthe form shown, has the advantage in common with cards employing wax, ofallowing the teeth to be mounted anywhere along the device, but has thefurther very great advantages of avoiding the mutilation, softening andother adverse features of the wax. The teeth may each be of the one ortwo pin type, and the pins be headed or headless, or the set made up ofan assortment of these, and still be operable with the carrier.

I have indicated in Figure 2 a tooth l8 having a headless pin 33, or twoof such pins, in supported relation with the carrier, and in Figure 3, atooth 34 having a headed pin 35, the only difference being in the snapfastener effect caused by inserting or withdrawing the headed pin whileattaching and detaching the tooth. The headed pin, however, has afurther effect providing a more positive lock to hold the teeth inposition as against the frictional lock of the headless pin; teeth ofeach type having advantages, and the device being interchangeablyemployed with them.

Referring to Figures 4, 5, 8 and 9, I have shown a modification of myinvention generally similar to that illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 6and 7, except that a recess is provided along one side of groove 20aforming a shelf 36 and the form of the insert is somewhat modified. Inthis modification, parts corresponding to the embodiment first describedare designated by corresponding reference characters and the suflix (a)As is best illustrated in Figure 5, shelf 36 is provided to accommodateteeth of the type having a ledge 31 formed thereon, a tooth of this typebeing indicated at I811, one of a set indicated at Ila. The insert 15ahas a flange 30a corresponding to flange 30 previously described and acooperating longitudinally extending upper edge portion 29a which isbent inwardly in double layer relation to its associated side 21a ofinsert l5a to provide clearance for ledge 31.

The invention in the form of Figure 10, in which corresponding parts aredesignated by corresponding reference characters each having the suflix(b), is generally similar in construction and operation to thestructures above set forth, except that all the parts are embodied in asingle piece of resilient sheet material of the character of the insertsabove set forth.

The sheet material in the modification, Figure 10, is formed to providesupporting side flanges Mb, integral top flanges 29b and 36b, and agenerally centrall disposed and longitudinally extending dovetailportion 28b supported by the top flanges. A series of alignedtransversely extending and generally parallel grooves, indicated at 3thand 32?), each initiate generally centrally of vertical flanges Nb andterminate adjacent the base 252) of dovetail portion 28?). This, ineffect, provides a plurality of individually operable resilient grippingmeans acting, as previously described, to firmly grip the projectingtooth pins.

It is understood that the flanges Mb, at their lower edges, may beextended laterally to provide increased bearing surface.

The spring movements of the individually mov-- able portions of theinsert are local to each tooth pin so that when a tooth is removed orreplaced the spring movements of the parts is not surficientlytransmitted along the device to cause accidental dismounting of otherteeth.

Although I have shown and described preferred forms of my invention Icontemplate that numerous and extensive departures may be made therefromwithout departing from the spirit of my invention and the scope of theappended claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A carrier for artificial teeth of a type having pin means projectingtherefrom, the carrier comprising a base, means associated with the basea for detachably receiving and gripping said pins, said means comprisinga longitudinally extending member having upwardly converging side wallstheir upper edges spaced to form a groove for the reception of saidpins, and the groove side walls being resiliently movable to eifect agripping engagement with the pin at the uppermost portion of said sidewalls.

2. A carrier for artificial teeth of the type having pin meansprojecting from the lingual side thereof, said carrier comprisingresilient material formed to provide an elongate groove having sidewalls converging upwardly from the groove base, the upper part of theside walls being transversely slotted at spaced points to providealigned and individually movable wall portions, and the uppermost partof aid aligned wall portions being spaced to resiliently grip the pinmeans therebetween.

3. A carrier for artificial teeth of the type having an anchoring pinprojecting from the lin ual side thereof, said carrier comprisingresilient sheet material formed to provide an elongate groove havingside walls converging upwardly from the groove base, at least one ofsaid walls terminating upwardly in a laterally extending flange, theupper part of the side walls and flange being transversely slottedatspaced points to provide aligned and individually movable wallportions, and the uppermost part of said aligned wall portions beingspaced to resiliently grip an anchoring pin therebetween.

4. A carrier for artificial teeth of the type having an anchoring pinprojecting from the lingual side thereof, said carrier comprisingresilient ill) sheet material formed to provide an elongate groovehaving side walls converging upwardly from the groove base, each of saidside walls terminating upwardly in a laterally extending flange, theupper part of the side walls and flanges being transversely slotted atspaced points to provide aligned and individually movable wall portions,and the uppermost part of said aligned wall portions being spaced toresiliently grip an anchoring pin therebetween.

5. A carrier for artificial teeth of the type having an anchoring pinprojecting from the lingual side thereof, said carrier comprising arigid base having an elongate undercut groove therein, means associatedwith the base for detachably receiving and gripping said pins, saidmeans comprising an insert of resilient sheet material formed to providea longitudinal groove adapted to seat in the base groove, th insertgroove side walls converging upwardly from the groove base to form anelongate slot normally of less width than a tooth pin, and the grooveside walls being transversely slotted at spaced points to 'providealigned and individually movable wall portions for resiliently grippingthe pins at said slot.

6. A carrier for artificial teeth of the type having an anchoring pinprojecting from the lingual side thereof, said carrier comprising a baseformed of rigid material having a longitudinal undercut groove therein,means associated with the base for resiliently and detachably grippingthe pins, said means comprising an insert of resilient sheet materialformed to provide an elongate groove adapted to seat within the basegroove, the insert groove side walls converging upwardly from the groovebase and terminating in laterally extending flanges, the side walls andflanges beingtransversely slotted at spaced points to provide alignedand individually movable wall portions, and the uppermost part of saidwall portions being spaced to resiliently grip a tooth pin therebetweenwith the flanges supporting the lingual surface of the tooth.

7. A carrier for artificial teeth of the type having pin meansprojecting therefrom, said carrier comprising resilient sheet materialformed to provide top flanges and supporting side flanges, the topflanges supporting an elongate dovetail form channel, the upper part ofthe channel side walls and top flanges being transversely slotted atspaced points to provide aligned and individually movable wall portions,and the uppermost part of said wall portions being spaced to resilientlygrip the pin means therebetween.

8. A carrier for artificial teeth of the type having an anchoring pinand a denture base engaging ledge projecting from the lingual sidethereof, said carrier comprising a base of rigid material having anelongate undercut groove therein, an insert of resilient sheet materialformed to provide an elongat groove adapted to seat within the basegroove, the upper part of the insert groove side walls beingtransversely slotted at spaced points to provide aligned andindividually movable wall portions for resiliently gripping a tooth pin,and the base having a recess in the top surfac thereof for receiving atooth denture base ledge.

GEORGE T. PUSEY, JR.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent no, 2,276,701. Y March 17, 19!;2.

GEORGE T. PUSEY, JR.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correctionas follows: Page 2,first column, line 75, after "base" insert a comma; and second column,line 1, after "form" insert ahyphen; page 5, first column, line 59,claim 1, after "walls" insert --with--; and that the said Letters Patentshould be reed with this correction therein that'the same may conform tothe record of the csse in the Patent Office. I

Signed and sealed this 9th day of June, A, 1). 19m.

Henry Van Arsdale, eal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

